page_title: Leonello d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara
section_title: University
hierarchical_section_title: Leonello d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara / Culture, art and literature / Culture / University
caption_attribution_description: English: Liberal-arts college Italiano: La facoltà di lettere dell'Università di Ferrara.
context_page_description: Leonello d'Este was Marquis of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio Emilia from 1441 to 1450. Despite the presence of legitimate children, Leonello was favoured by his father as his successor. In addition, his virtuous qualities, high level of education, and popularity among the common people as well as his formal papal recognition ultimately made him the most suitable heir.
  Leonello had little influence over the Italian political landscape and aristocracy in Ferrara. Contrary to other prior d’Este family leaders, such as Azzo VII, Niccolò III, and Isabella d’Este, who had a drive for power and control, Leonello is recognized principally for his sponsorship of the arts, literature, and culture. In 1441–1450, his learned courts and developing knowledge assisted him in transforming the city of Ferrara. Under the guidance of Guarino Veronese, his humanist teacher, and with the approval of the commune, Leonello began the reformation, particularly, the University of Ferrara.
  Leonello not only elevated the humanistic cultural movements during his rule, but it also influenced the political and artistic advancements of his successors.
context_section_description: The University of Ferrara dates back to 1391. It was not until 1442—one year into the reign of Leonello d’Este—that it became a fully operational university with an adequate number of professors to instruct the major subjects of canon law (church law), logic, philosophy and medicine. Hence, while the traditional date for the beginning of the university is 1391, 1442 is now considered its true founding date, because that is when it grew in size and overall awareness within Ferrara and the surrounding towns.  When the university was granted the charter to be allowed to grant degrees on 4 March 1391 in civil and canon law, arts, medicine and theology, the university had only two professors of law, and no evidence has been found of university-level arts and theology instruction.  The university was closed down in 1394, less than three years after its opening. Due to wartime expenses, teaching ceased in 1404; in 1418 Niccolò III — the father of Leonello, who ruled from 1393-1441 — tried but was unsuccessful to reopen the university.
  In 1442,  Leonello d’Este and the commune of Ferrara agreed on the reestablishing of a university.  The great humanists and Leonello's tutor, Guarino Guarini of Verona (1374-1460), most likely encouraged Leonello in developing a fully operational university for Ferrara.
  A meeting in January 1442 between Leonello and the commune, resulted in the agreement for the need for a university, saying it would be "a distinguished center of learning [that] would bring renown to the city, local men would more easily obtain degrees, and an influx of students would bolster the city’s economy."  In order to raise funds, the commune placed a sales tax on meats and through the money raised was able to pay a large portion of the faculty for the university; Leonello contributed financially in order to keep the university afloat.  18 October 1442 was the official date for the opening of the university.  Guarino Guarini of Verona became a humanist professor at the university, and gave the inaugural oration praising humanistic and university subjects.  By the end of Leonello's reign in 1450, surviving records state that within the faculty of law there were twelve professors and 13 in the faculty of arts.  The university had become successful in what Leonello and the commune of Ferrara had hoped for.
caption: The Liberal Arts College at the University of Ferrara
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